President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday, 14 August, addressed the nation and emphasised particularly on the "special significance" of women in the society. Kovind said that women should have the freedom to choose their own path. "They should be deciding for themselves if they want to use their skills in the development of the house or in the area of education."
This was his second Independence Day speech after becoming India’s President in 2017.
August 15, Kovind said, was sacred for every Indian. "Our tricolour is a representation of our nation. Independence of India was a result of the sacrifice of freedom fighters and ancestors," he said.
Talking about the freedom fighters' dream India, Kovind said that "when we provide better weapons for soldiers, develop supply-chains for defence equipment in our country itself, and offer welfare facilities to the soldiers, we create India of the dreams of our freedom fighters."
Kovind stressed on the need for Mahatma Gandhi's message of 'Ahimsa' (non-violence), and explained why it should take precedence over 'hinsa' (violence). "The power to stay your hand is far greater than the power to strike with your hand, and 'hinsa' has no place in the society," Kovind was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
The President’s remark comes close on the heels of several incidents of lynchings over suspicion of cow slaughter, cow theft, and even on the rumours of child-theft circulating over Whatsapp.
He said that India belonged to the people of the country and not just the government. "Together we can help every citizen in our country. Together we can conserve our forests and natural heritage, we can safeguard our monuments for future generations," he said.
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